Stream Habitat Survey Technicians - Scientific Tech 2 - Non-Perm - Four Openings - *03637-24

FOUR (4) OPENINGS

FULL-TIME/NON-PERMANENT

STREAM HABITAT SURVEY TECHNICIANS

SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2 (ST2)

Habitat Program

Anticipated Appointment Length: 4 months

June 3, 2024 - October 15, 2024

This recruitment is posted until May 1, 2024 - the first review of applications will be April 3, 2024.  Application review will be ongoing, and therefore we encourage you to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The Hiring Manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once selections have been made.

Two (2) Positions

• Hood Canal

• Seabeck, Washington

• Kitsap County

Two (2) Positions

• Strait of Juan de Fuca

• Forks, Washington

• Clallam County

Gain transferrable skills and hands on experience by collecting fish habitat data from focal research streams in Western Washington!

Conduct stream habitat surveys on Intensively Monitored Watersheds (IMW) to support research investigating the response of salmonid populations to stream restoration efforts.

Juvenile Coho

• Credit: Marcus Reaves

With that in mind,

Picture yourself collecting field data to support research that investigates the response of salmonid populations to stream restoration efforts.

These are opportunities to gain experience conducting stream habitat surveys and contribute to a long-term study monitoring stream restoration efforts.

With your experience you will navigate off trail to randomly selected locations within each watershed and follow sampling protocols to collect a standardized set of stream habitat data

We are seeking candidates with demonstrated values matching those of WDFW: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

Lena Creek

• Credit: Rachel Blomker

Our Stream Habitat Survey Technicians,

Follow standardized sampling protocols to collect fish habitat data from focal research streams.  Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Utilization of a GPS to navigate (off-trail) to previously sampled study sites.

• Classification of stream mesohabitats within sample reaches.

• Identify bankfull stage.

• Collect and record transect measurements (wetted and bankfull widths/depths, substrate samples, depth measurements).

• Enumerate large woody debris.

• Observe and identify juvenile and adult fish

Ensure that field data collection forms are complete and deliverable and plan subsequent sampling activities. Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure that data collection forms are complete on a daily basis.

• Error check and tabulate field data following standardized protocols.

• Reference spatial data and photographs.

Assist with fish population data collection in focal research streams:

• Capture fish using a backpack electro-fisher.

• Identify fish (salmonid) species and collect relevant biodata.

Maintain and care for survey equipment, vehicle, and campsite:

• Clean and maintain assigned survey equipment, ensure that vehicle maintenance occurs at prescribed intervals and camping locations are kept in good condition.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:

• 95% of the work occurs outside in the field - it includes operating a motor vehicle on developed roads and on unimproved logging roads with heavy truck traffic, traveling by foot over uneven/unstable rocks and logs, steep, slippery, and uneven terrain (risk of strains/sprains), exposure to insect bites and stings, contact with vegetation bearing thorns, needles, and/or irritants.

• Unpredictable interactions with wildlife, domestic animals, and private landowners - additionally, work will occur in all weather conditions typical of Western WA from June-October (rain, wind, wildfire smoke, and hot/cold conditions).

• Remoteness of work sites sometimes limits outside communication (poor cell/radio reception in river canyons); expected to hike, bend, squat, and crawl, and occasionally carry or move sampling equipment (sandbags/buckets of water) that weigh up to 50 lbs. and frequently carry sampling gear (first aid kit/water/electronics) that weigh up to 30 lbs. by hand or with a backpack over difficult terrain.

• Schedule:

• Monday

• Thursday, 7:00 A.M.

• 6:00 P.M.

• 4 days per week, 10 hours per day.

• Travel Requirements:

• Regular travel between IMW complexes and overnight camping may be required to accomplish sampling goals in multiple work areas.

• Tools and Equipment:

• Global Positioning System (GPS), handheld measuring tools, surveying equipment, backpack electrofisher, 4x4 vehicle, and radio.

• Customer Interactions:

• Communication with landowners is required before accessing some study sites.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science AND two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.

OR

• Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) year of high school science AND two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

Please Note: College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience, provided the course work includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

License/Certifications:

• Valid Driver's License.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field.

• Knowledge of stream habitat survey methods - primarily the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program  (EMAP) methodology for wadeable streams.

• Ability to identify morphological (structural) features of streams.

• Knowledge of the study area

• Hood Canal, Lower Columbia or Strait of Juan de Fuca Intensively Monitored Watersheds.

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).

• A current resume.

• Three professional references.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency's mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

UNION - WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.

• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 - Veteran)

• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.

• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 - MS)

• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.

As part of WDFW's efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.   Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.   Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

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